The 4-2 Culver City High School football team rode a terrific second-half comeback to 24-19 win over a very good El Segundo team last Friday in front of a packed Homecoming crowd inside Jerry Chabola Stadium.
This week, the Centaurs will hit the road, playing another strong Ocean League team, 3-3 Lawndale, Friday evening at 7.
It’s going to take the same kind of effort Culver City displayed against El Segundo to beat Lawndale.
Lawndale is similar to Dorsey, to whom the Centaurs lost.
Lawndale is big, fast and has an athletic quarterback just like Dorsey.
“Lawndale has a lot of talent,” said Centaur Coach Jahmal Wright.
“Both teams know each other. Travis Clark, their coach, and I took over our programs at the same time.”
The Centaurs had a lot of respect for El Segundo, for good reason. The Eagles, unbeaten at 5-0, came into the game ranked No. 1 in their CIF Division. Culver City was No. 5 in its division.
“We had a pretty good game plan,” Coach Wright said.
Culver City played a solid pre-season schedule that included West Torrance and Dorsey. This toughened the Centaurs for the difficult Ocean League.
The youngest Centaurs are growing up fast. “We have a lot of young, solid kids,” said assistant coach Michael Hooper. He played for the Centaurs from 2000-2002 and went on to play at San Jose State.
“The young players have a great effect on the seniors,” he said. That’s something we have not seen in a long time.”
Hooper, who still looks as if he could suit up and play high school football, enjoys giving back to the program.
“I am passionate about football,” he said. “That is why I came back. I want to seize the moment and help the kids get better.”
Hooper said that Coach Wright “does a really good job of choosing his staff and putting us in position to be successful.”
One of the younger players is punter Robert Simon, a junior who plays wide receiver and defensive back.
“I started playing football in the 9th grade because I like to hit people,” said Simon.
“My dad played four years of football at St Bernard.”
Simon thinks the Centaurs are special. “This team has a lot of character and a great attitude,” he said. “That’s why we beat El Segundo. I think this team can go all the way and win a championship.”
Coach Wright says of Simon: “Robert is a jack-of-all-trades, a great athlete. I am proud of him.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com